Affected Applications

It is not necessary to adjust salaries of existing Knowledge Migrants in the Netherlands unless applying for a renewal of the residence permit. The new levels apply only where an application, either for a new residence permit or a renewal of an existing residence permit, is made.

Minimum Salaries for 2016

The new minimum gross monthly salary levels are as follows:

Knowledge Migrants aged over 30: €4240 EUR (up from €4189 EUR);

Knowledge Migrants aged under 30: €3108 EUR (up from €3071 EUR);

Persons who have graduated in the Netherlands within the last 12 months: €2228 EUR (up from €2201 EUR);

Blue Card holders: €4,968 EUR (up from €4908 EUR).

Details

Note that amounts listed above do not include the mandatory 8% holiday pay.

Payments must be made monthly, directly into the bank account of the foreign national, and the onus is on the employer to prove that such payments have been made and meet monthly requirements. Failure to be compliant with these rules may result in fines.

Per diems and allowances may only be included if they are guaranteed and stated in the employment contract.

It should be noted that salaries must also meet the market salary rate for the specific position. If the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (the IND) consider the suggested salary to be less than sufficient, they can ask the UWV Werkbedrijf (the body that provides opinions on behalf of the Dutch Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment (SZW) for an opinion. Additional justification for the salary level would likely be requested from the prospective employer. Applications which do not meet market conditions as adjudicated by the UWV Werkbedrijf will be rejected.

Action Items

Note new minimum salary levels for 2016 and ensure that upcoming applications meet the new criteria.